The next chapter! I hope you like it and please let me know what you think! And thanks to everyone who reads this story and to those who write reviews!

I don't own the characters or places!

"Why on earth didn't you tell me about this?!" Aberforth yelled. "This is dangerous!"

"Aberforth, we know that." Albus tried to calm his brother down.

"She could have died! You know what happens when she gets too excited!"

"During all our lessons, she always stayed calm." Albus tried to explain everything, but Aberforth wouldn't listen.

"And what about you? You could have gotten hurt as well. I always knew that you tend to have stupid ideas, Albus, but this surpasses everything!" Suddenly, Aberforth just stopped shouting at him and breathed in deeply. Right after their return from Hogwarts in the evening, Aberforth had sent Gellert and Ariana away to talk to Albus in private. Though Albus already suspected that their conversation could be heard through the entire house. Or at least Aberforth's part.

"Gellert and I were very careful. We knew what we were doing, Ab." It was the first time Albus called his brother by his nickname.

Aberforth sighed. "I doubt that you knew exactly what you were getting yourself into."

Albus crossed his arms. "I am fully aware of what Ariana's capable of. And Gellert knows this too. Or did you forget the incident with the cat?" At his words, Aberforth flinched. Albus continued without waiting for another reaction. "I knew that you would have never allowed us to practice with her. And you can believe me when I say that we did everything to make sure that no one got hurt during our lessons."

"And she really asked you to teach her?" Aberforth's voice was weak now. Right before she went outside with Gellert, Ariana had assured Aberforth that everything has been her idea.

"She was happy about it, even if she also was afraid that she might hurt us." Albus nodded. "I guided her through all the lessons. It wasn't easy at first."

"I've never heard of something like that before." Aberforth muttered. "No one can help when someone's not able to control their magic. They always said that." Suddenly, he looked curious. "How did you do it?"

Albus ran a hand through his hair. "Patience. And maybe she allowed me to use Legilimency." He explained slowly.

Aberforth raised his eyebrows. "So you can really do that?"

He nodded.

"Isn't that difficult?"

"Not for me." Albus replied. "It's as natural as breathing, one of the professors once said that I have a natural talent for it. Though I would never use it without asking first." He assured when he saw the slightly worried look on Aberforth's face.

"And can he do it as well?" Albus didn't have to ask to know that he meant Gellert.

"I'm teaching him." He said simply. It wasn't that easy for Gellert, but he was a fast learner once they managed not to get distracted by each other anymore.

"So he could look into our heads if he wanted to?" Now Aberforth really sounded worried.

Albus shook his head. "Gellert would never do that."

Aberforth raised an eyebrow. "How would you know?"

"I know him better than anyone else. And I trust him." Albus crossed his arms. "You should try that too. It makes many things easier."

"You know what I think of him." Aberforth muttered darkly.

"And you also have to admit that he's changed in the past months."

"That doesn't have to mean anything." Aberforth sighed. "I still can't believe that you let him practice with Ariana as well."

"Most of the time, he just watches us." Albus explained. That wasn't completely true. First, Gellert had just watched them. But in the past weeks, he'd also practiced with Ariana. However, Aberforth didn't need to know that. "And even if he's also helping her, you don't have to worry."

For some time, his brother just looked at him silently. Then he sighed. "When you'll leave soon, you have to tell me what to do first."

Albus nodded slowly, knowing that he'd won the argument this time. "I can show you tomorrow. And Ariana knows it as well." He hesitated. "We've been thinking of getting her a wand. Without one, there aren't many new things she can learn anymore."

Now Aberforth stared at him with wide eyes. "You think what?! That's even more dangerous."

"Not necessarily." Albus threw in. "You don't know what she can do by now."

"I won't practice with her with a wand." Aberforth said sternly.

"And if she wants it?" Albus raised his eyebrows. "Would you deny her that?"

"I'm still against teaching her anything."

"Don't let her hear that. Otherwise, she might get really upset." Albus ran a hand through his hair. "You have to understand that it makes her really happy to learn. I've never seen her this relaxed. Do you want to take that from her again?"

"Why do you even have to travel around the world with him? It seems like you've been quite happy here as well."

"I can't stay here forever. I want to do something in my life, Ab." Albus explained softly. "And I want to see the world, together with Gellert. It has always been my dream."

"And after that, you want to be a teacher at Hogwarts." Aberforth assumed.

Albus nodded. "They asked me today."

"I already thought so." Aberforth muttered. "Ariana can stay with me."

"That's what I thought."

They just stood there in silence for some time, both lost in their own thoughts. In the end, Aberforth sighed. "Alright, I'll try teaching her. If you explain to me how to do it. I don't want her to get hurt."

Albus smiled. "That won't happen." He assured his brother.

"Our first stop will be Paris." Gellert whispered with a smile and played with Albus' hair absent-mindedly. "From there, we'll travel through Europe and then to Africa. Then we'll go to Asia and Australia. And the last station will be America."

It was late in the evening and they were lying in bed together. Albus had his arms wrapped around Gellert's waist and hid his face in his neck. "Sounds like a good plan." He whispered.

"What's on your mind?" Gellert asked now. "You're so quiet ever since you talked to your brother."

Slowly, Albus looked up. There was a frown on Gellert's face. "I've just been thinking of Ariana. And if Aberforth will be able to practice with her."

"We already discussed that." Gellert said softly. "When we'll show him what to do, there won't be a problem. And otherwise, he can still send an owl to us. Even if I wouldn't like that. Having you all to myself is a very tempting thought." He leaned in to kiss Albus.

Albus kissed him back slowly and tightened his grip around Gellert's waist. "I love you." He whispered once they parted.

"I love you too." Gellert smiled. "Everything will be fine, I'm sure of that."

Slowly, Albus relaxed. "Alright, I'll try not to worry."

"Not trying, doing it." Gellert muttered and started to place kisses on his neck. Albus shivered at the contact. Then he realized that Gellert started to unbutton his shirt. He always knew how to distract Albus.

Later that night, Albus was woken by a strange sound. He opened his eyes slowly, just to realize that Gellert had his arms wrapped around him tightly. The noise were Gellert's whimpers. He was having a nightmare. There was a pained expression on his face.

"Gellert, love. You have to wake up. It's just a dream, I'm here. You're fine." Albus didn't know how long he whispered words of comfort, but suddenly, Gellert opened his eyes and sat up quickly. He ran a hand through his hair and looked around disorientated, until he saw Albus next to him. Finally, he started to relax.

"Albus?"

"It's fine, Gel. You had a nightmare." Albus touched his hand carefully, afraid that Gellert might flinch away from him. His worries were unjustified. As soon as their hands touched, Gellert pulled Albus closer again and buried his face on his chest.

"I love you, Albus." Gellert whispered. "You know that?"

"Of course, love." Albus replied softly. "And I love you too."

For some time, he just held Gellert and listened to his breathing, which was getting calmer again. Albus already thought that Gellert fell back to sleep when he spoke. "I had a strange dream."

When Albus realized that Gellert wouldn't say anything else, he decided to ask. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I saw the man with the red hair again." Gellert looked up and Albus could see the uneasy expression on his face. "You were talking to him, at Hogwarts. And I was there too. It looked like we were explaining something to him. He was carrying a suitcase, though I don't know what was in there."

Albus listened to him silently. "What else did you see?"

"Dimitri." Gellert muttered flatly. "And you." He breathed in shakily. "It looked like you were duelling. You were lying on the ground and he pointed his wand at you. I couldn't get to you in time." Now he closed his eyes and Albus realized that he was also shivering.

"It was just a dream." He reminded him. "Nothing that will come true."

"But some of my dreams do." Gellert whispered quietly.

"You also saw the two of us as opponents." Albus threw in. "And that will never come true. So why should this dream mean something?"

"I have a bad feeling about this. Even more than last time." Gellert admitted.

"As long as we'll stay together, everything will be fine." Albus whispered. "I bet this was just a nightmare and didn't mean anything."

"Promise me to be careful, Albus." Gellert's voice was pleading now. "I can't lose you."

"I promise." Albus said immediately. "And you won't." He kissed him. "You know that you'll never get rid off me again."

For half a second, there was a tired smile on Gellert's face. "I wouldn't want it any other way."

"Do you think that you can sleep again?" Albus asked.

Gellert shrugged. "Otherwise, I'll just watch you, love."

"Don't think of it anymore."

"I'll try."

Albus sighed. "Not trying, doing it." He repeated the words Gellert had used only hours earlier.

It had the wanted effect, Gellert chuckled. "Sleep well, Albus."

Half an hour later, Albus was still awake, while Gellert was sleeping next to him peacefully.

"And don't forget to stay calm. That is the essential part." Albus told his brother.

Aberforth rolled his eyes. "The past two weeks, you said that about a million times."

"I just want to make sure that you're alright." Albus defended himself.

"We will be." Aberforth said sternly. "I will practice with Ariana every day. And you've already shown her the basics with her new wand. I can perform a perfect charm to defend myself and I can repair every damage that might happen. We're prepared for your absence. Don't even think that we might send you an owl." Suddenly, his face became softer. "Enjoy your vacation."

Albus smiled. "Thank you, Aberforth."

Aberforth's lips twitched. "I'm still angry with you." He reminded him, though he didn't look like it at all. And Albus knew that his brother was bluffing. Once he'd seen how good Ariana could control herself, all of his doubts had vanished. He was even grateful that they taught her how to control herself. Now they were starting with the basics of magic with a wand. The trip to Diagon Alley had been very exciting for Ariana. Luckily, no one asked questions why she needed her first wand at this age.

In their last weeks at Godric's Hollow, Albus and Gellert had started to show her the basic spells you were taught in the first year at school. To their surprise, Bathilda had offered to help Aberforth with Ariana's training. Albus suspected that his brother was glad about it, even if he would never admit that.

"You're not." Albus said now and grinned.

Aberforth crossed his arms. "Believe whatever you want." He muttered. "You'll send us letters? I'm just asking because Ariana will be worried when we don't hear from you on a regular basis."

"We will." Albus promised.

For a few moments, the brothers just looked at each other silently. Then Aberforth took a step forward and hugged Albus shortly. The contact only lasted about ten seconds, but it told Albus everything he needed to know. His brother would miss him.

"I'll see you sometime." He said and Aberforth just nodded.

Then Albus turned to Ariana, who was leaning on the doorframe, together with Gellert and Bathilda. He held out his arms and she ran to him quickly. After a long hug, he smiled at her.

"I will miss you." Ariana whispered and there was a sad expression on her face now. Luckily, she wasn't crying. Albus wasn't sure if he could stand to see her this upset.

"We'll miss you too, Ari. But we'll write you. And we'll back before you know it."

She smiled sadly. "Have fun. And be careful, please."

"We will be." Albus promised.

"I'll take care of him, you don't have to worry." Gellert added.

Ariana turned to him. "You have to be careful too."

Gellert's face softened and he smiled. "I promise."

Albus glanced at Aberforth. His brother had followed the short exchange of words with an unreadable expression on his face.

"I'm sure you'll write me too?" Bathilda asked curiously.

"Of course." Albus said immediately.

"Very good. I'll let you know when I finish my book. Even if I think that you'll be already back by that time. After all, you've got a job then." Her eyes were shining at the last words. Last week, two owls from Hogwarts had arrived. Albus was going to be a teacher in two years from now, while Gellert would be invited to a conversation with the Headmaster then. Albus suspected that it would be about Gellert's future at the school.

After hugging Bathilda as well, Albus and Gellert took their bags and disapparated. The last thing Albus saw were Aberforth, Ariana and Bathilda standing next to each other. Bathilda was smiling, while there was a sad look on Ariana's face. Aberforth had his arm wrapped around her shoulders and Albus thought that his brother was smiling as well.

Paris was a wonderful city. Albus and Gellert spent days just looking at everything. Especially Albus was very impressed by all the sights. In the magical community, they met many interesting people. Even a few young women in their age, who told them a few stories about their school, the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. In return, they told them about London and Hogwarts. Secretly, Albus suspected that they were just talking to them because of Gellert since they all couldn't take their eyes away from him during the entire conversation. To Albus' satisfaction, Gellert didn't even seem to notice that he was being watched closely.

When he told him about that later, Gellert just laughed. "My love, they can watch me as much as they want. I don't care. And I think one of them just had eyes for you." He told Albus with a wink. That night, Gellert showed Albus exactly how much he loved him.

One day, when they were walking through the streets of Paris aimlessly, they were addressed by an old man with long, white hair. He was very thin and moved slowly, but he smiled at them widely. Out of nowhere, he asked them if they were enjoying Paris. After all, it was a magical day.

His name was Nicolas Flamel and he was a wizard. Albus and Gellert weren't sure how he identified them as wizards as well in a street full of muggles, and they didn't want to ask him. Later, Flamel explained that he'd already seen them a few days before, while they were looking at a shop that sold magical equipment.

Nicolas Flamel was an alchemist and they spent many weeks in his company. Their actual plan had only contained about two weeks in Paris, but Albus and Gellert stayed with Nicolas Flamel and his wife for months. They quickly became friends with him and Flamel could teach them many things. He was also very interested in their studies and they spent many evenings discussing spells or other things. Of course Flamel discovered that their relationship wasn't just a friendly one very fast, but he didn't care. He only smiled at them when they were holding hands in the house, which they dared to do after some time.

They soon discovered that Nicolas and his wife Perenelle were much older than they looked like. They kept this presumption to themselves, until, one day, Flamel told them about his biggest secret. The Philosopher's Stone and the Elixir of Life.

When Albus asked him why he shared his secret with them, the answer was simple. "I trust you two. And I have the feeling that you are destined to do great things in your lives. All my conversations with you over the last months, as well as your ideas concerning the 'Greater Good' as you call it, have confirmed this." Flamel had answered with a smile. "You will leave soon, but I think it won't be the last time we'll see each other. And maybe you will need this knowledge someday."

Especially Gellert had been surprised by this confession. Sometimes, he still thought that he wasn't worth someone's trust, after all the things he'd done at Durmstrang. Albus did his best to convince him that he was wrong, but sometimes, Gellert's doubts came back.

The day they left Paris, the Flamel's made them promise to write letters regularly. Albus and Gellert agreed immediately. They both liked Nicolas and his wife very much.

The next station of their journey was Rome. Since they stayed in Paris for about six months, their whole trip was delayed now, but neither Albus nor Gellert cared. They still had one and a half years until they had to meet with Professor Dippet at Hogwarts, so there was no rush on their journey.

They both enjoyed it very much to have time for themselves. No obligations, no worries, nothing. And most of the time, they could just be themselves. In some countries, they didn't even have to pretend that they were just friends. It was a great feeling.

During all this time, they tried to follow the events in eastern Europe as good as possible. They avoided to get into the region close to Durmstrang on their journey. Gellert didn't want to meet Dimitri or his followers, as he called them. He was still afraid because of the nightmare he'd had after their departure from Godric's Hollow. To make him feel better, Albus agreed to stay away from there immediately.

There were many rumours about the deaths of Muggles by Dark Magic in the east, but there were rarely reports in the papers. Once, they even heard a rumour that a group of witches and wizards was gathering in Russia to take over the world. However, they were told that the man who'd heard this was insane. Somehow, Albus and Gellert doubted that.

They exchanged letters with Ariana and Bathilda on a regular basis and sometimes, Albus also wrote to Elphias, who was in England again. And they wrote to Nicolas Flamel and his wife a few times.

At home, everything seemed to be alright. Aberforth and Bathilda were helping Ariana with her magic and slowly, she was making progress. Albus was glad to hear that. He would have loved to see it by himself, but they would only return to Godric's Hollow a few days before their departure to Hogwarts.

In the end, the time passed faster than expected. The closer the end of their journey came, the more excited Albus and Gellert got. Albus because he was really going to be a teacher, and Gellert because he didn't know what the future was holding for him. Albus really hoped that Gellert could stay with him at Hogwarts in those three years until he would be a teacher himself. Otherwise, they already planned to get a small flat at Hogsmeade for Gellert. Then they could see each other every day.

And then, the day was there. After two final weeks at Godric's Hollow, Albus and Gellert were preparing to leave for Hogwarts. Headmaster Dippet had even organized them a Portkey. It was a scarf of Gryffindor.